The Writer’s Notebook

JourneyExplorationCreativity

Observation Self-discovery

Journal #1 Create a list of 10 things you know for sure about yourself.

Examples: I know that I hate to be alone. I like having people

around. I know that spiders give me the CREEPS I know that I am very competitive.

Then, choose one to expand on and try to explain why you think you are that way. Example:

I think I hate spiders so much because I don’t know much about them. If I knew which ones were dangerous, and how to spot them, I might not be so scared of them all. Also, watching the movie Arachnophobia in 7th grade terrified me! I still remember those big hairy legs and bodies scampering all over the house and barn. That movie made me see them as evil creatures, and maybe that’s not fair to them.

Journal #2

If you could meet one famous person who is currently living, who would it be and why?

What activity would you plan to do with him/her?

What 5 questions would you ask? What advice would you want from them?

Journal #3 Make a list of 3 things you would change

about your personality.

Examples: I would change the fact that I talk too much. I would change the way I lose concentration

so easily. I would change the fear I have of being

alone. Then, choose one to explain further.

Why don’t you like it? How would you change it?

Journal #4

“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.”

~ Joseph Chilton Pearce Copy the quote Respond to the quote by telling:

What you think the author is saying? What does the quote make you think of? How does the quote relate to your life?

Journal #5 Make a two column list of positives and

negatives about one of the 4 seasons. Example: Winter

+ -

Snow Days COLD!!!Sitting by a fire Gray skies

Fuzzy socks & blankets Stuck inside

Journal #6

Think about your favorite candy item. Write it down.

Imagine you are a defense lawyer, and it is your job to argue why your choice is the best. What would you say? What details and persuasive techniques could you use to defend your delicious sweet treat?

Journal #7

Topic: Grandparents Whether you have them yourself or not, write

some thoughts about the following: Why are Grandparents important? How do they benefit society and culture? What are some things they can they offer

that parents can’t? How should society treat the elder

members? If you have grandparents, take a few

minutes to write about them.

Journal #8

Topic: Families What is a family? Why are families important? How does your family effect your image? How do you effect your family’s image? What makes a family work well? What makes a family struggle? What effects do families have on the

larger society around them?

Journal #9

Respond to the following quote:

"Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen."

— Willa Cather

Be thoughtful in your answer. Do you agree / disagree. Explain.

Journal #10

Fill in the following blanks: Today has been ____________ so far. I’m feeling ________________. It’s annoying when kids _____________. It’s cool when kids ______________. It’s annoying when adults___________. It’s cool when adults _______________. I appreciate ____________. I don’t appreciate ____________.

Journal #11

Answer all of the following:

What are some things that make your generation unique?

What are some things that “old people” (like parents / teachers) don’t understand about your generation.

What you like to say to the adults of the world if you could?

Journal #12

Loyalty is an important quality for a person to have. Write about a time when you

witnessed or experienced loyalty, either with friends or family.

Journal #13

If you could have ONE superpower, what would it be? And WHY?

Would you use it for good or evil? What are some WAYS you would use

it?

Journal #14

How does curiosity encourage learning?

Make a list of 10 things you are curious about.

Then pick 2 and write a brief “I wonder…” statement for each.

Journal #15 Read the poem and respond:

The Germ

A mighty creature is the germ,

Though smaller than the pachyderm.

His customary dwelling place

Is deep within the human race.

His childish pride he often pleases

By giving people strange diseases.

Do you, my poppet, feel infirm?

You probably contain a germ.

- Ogden Nash

Journal #16 Read the poem and respond:

I Loved My Friend

I loved my friend.

He went away from me.

There’s nothing more to say.

The poem ends,

Soft as it began –

I loved my friend.

- Langston Hughes

Journal #17 Read the poem and respond:

Tree House

A tree house, a free house,

A secret you and me house,

A high up in the leafy branches

Cozy as can be house.

A street house, a neat house,

Be sure and wipe your feet house

Is not my kind of house at all –

Let’s go live in a tree house.

~ Shel Silverstein

Journal #18 Read the poem and respond:

If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

- Emily Dickinson

Journal #19

If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?

Why? What would your character do?

Journal #20

Write about your spring break High notes Low notes Sensory details (smells, sights, sounds,

tastes, textures) If you went somewhere…can you put us

there with you?

Journal #21 Read the poem and respond with thoughts:

What Are Heavy?What are heavy? Sea-sand and sorrow;What are brief? Today and tomorrow;

What are frail? Spring blossoms and youth;What are deep? The ocean and truth

By: Christina Rossetti

Journal #22 Read the poem and respond with thoughts:

The snow is melting

The snow is meltingand the village is flooded

with children. ~Kobayashi Issa

What is the pattern? Try to write your own haiku about

spring / opening day.

Journal #23HAPPY NATIONAL POETRY

MONTH!!

Get out your WN and wait quietly. As you listen to the poet perform,

write your thoughts, impressions, opinions, and connections.

Hands by: Sarah Kay (18 years old) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn

0zAUVkCgE&feature=player_embedded

Journal #24

Answer the following questions: Have you ever had a problem? What do we know about problems? Do problems always have a solution? Could there be more than one solution? Does a solution always solve a problem? List some (5 or more) problems that you

have experienced or noticed in your life.

Journal #25

Totally, Like, Whatever, Okay By: Taylor Mali

Journal #26Rain

I opened my eyesAnd looked up at the rain,And it dripped in my headAnd flowed into my brain,And all that I hear as I lie in my bedIs the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,I walk very slow,I can't do a handstand--I might overflow,So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

~ Shel Silverstein Respond to the poem, then write how you feel about rain.

Journal #27 Respond to the poems words, meaning, message, images.

If this sparks a memory write it.The Other Me

The other me knows what to wear,Fits in, doesn’t stick out,

Is one of them.

The other me remembers jokes,Doesn’t get teased

By anyone

The other me doesn’t have big feet,Doesn’t stumble,

Doesn’t drop her lunch tray.

So where is she,This amazing

Other me?

~Kristine O’Connell George

Journal #28

Answer the following questions, then turn and talk with a neighbor.

Why is research important? What benefits do we get from

research? What are some important things to

remember when doing research?

Journal #29 There comes a time

When we head a certain call When the world must come together as one There are people dying And it's time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all

We can't go on Pretending day by day That someone, somewhere will soon make a change We are all a part of God's great big family And the truth, you know love is all we need

[Chorus] We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day Just you and me

Respond to the lyrics of the song.

Send them your heart So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free As God has shown us by turning stone to bread So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]

When you're down and out There seems no hope at all But if you just believe There's no way we can fall Well, well, well, well, let us realize That a change will only come When we stand together as one

Journal #30Respond to the poem

A Helping Hand

Each day you liveOpen your heartLearn to give

Life for manyIs so unkindGiving peopleAre hard to find

So open your heartGive what you canWe’re all responsibleFor our fellow man

It’s so easy to lookThe other wayBut the tables could turnOn any given day

So help if you canFor one day you may beThe one who’s down and outThe one no one will see

~Ray Hansell